Why do I need a home? I was born in a hospital, educated in a college, courted in an automobile, married in a church. I live out of a deli, tin cans and paper bags. I spend my mornings on a golf course, my afternoon at a bridge table and my evenings at the movies. When I die I will be cremated and buried in a brass urn. All I need is a garage.
The need for godly homes has never been more apparent in the history of the world as it is today. Everything has been called in question – even the home. Education (so called), society (so sick), and materialism (so much), has been used as battering rams to knock out the very support columns of our homes. No man is a failure who has a successful home. No man is a success who has failed in this great adventure of life.
Let me point out some reasons why a garage will never quite be adequate for a home.
A garage may have a roof to keep out the rain, walls to keep out the wind, and a floor to keep out the cold – but a home is far more than roof walls and floor. It is the tender laugh of a baby and a soothing song of a mother. It is surrounded by the strength of a father’s arms. Within is the warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty and a ready willingness to meet each other’s needs.
Home is a peep hole though which we first see life – the first school for the young. Here joys are shared and sorrows eased. Home is where mothers and fathers are respected and children wanted. Home is where the teakettle sings from happiness. Those who have real homes don’t need garages. You can leave the car outside.
Jesus said, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh” (Matthew 19:5) “With the same letter heaven and home begin. They dwell together in the mind. For they who would a home in heaven win, must first a heaven in home begin to find.”
Excuse me but this is an article I wrote nearly forty years ago, another time, another paper and written to another group of readers. But the plea is exactly the same. Drink heavily into the lines and thoughts of this unknown poet who wrote,
“If I knew that it would be the last time that I would see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time that you would walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time I’d hear your voice in praise,
I would video take the moment and play it back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time I could spare a special minute,
To say “I love you”, instead of assuming you would know I do.
If I knew it would be the last time that I would share your day,
How would I ever let this one just slip away?
For surely there is always tomorrow to make up for an oversight,
And we’ll get a second chance to make all things just right.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance to hold the one you love so tight.
So take time to say “Forgive me”, “Thank you”, “and it’s okay”,
And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today.”
If you’ll excuse me now, I need to see my wife and kids and hug them while I can and say again “Forgive me,” for the times I’ve missed and then, I’ll give them a special hug and kiss and know that if today, turns out to be my last ones left, I can truly say, “It’s been a good one Lord, no regrets to leave behind. Just sweetness, joy and a time to wait, until we all heaven find.
“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:2-4)
Go ahead, we’ll excuse you. Tend to things that are important.
